...and
God Almighty said “...it is not good for man to be alone, I will
provide him an help meet for him...” That was the Almighty, just immediately
after creation has been confirmed good, very good. He affirmed that the only
thing not good about creation as at that period, was man being alone...even God
Himself is not alone, forever with God the Son, the HolySpirit, 24 elders, host
of Angels, etc...He has companions. So it’s safe to tell that friend of yours
forming James Bond or Angelina Jolie...having the “I can do all myself”
attitude to calm down and find a suitable shoulder to lean on.
Truth
is everyone needs a shoulder to lean on, note, I didn’t say cry on, but lean
on! Quickly let me spell it out, Companionship is a twisted form of Friendship,
but they are never thesame thing. The Oxford dictionary defines both thus:
Companion:
A friend, acquaintance or partner, someone with whom one spends time and keeps
company.
Friend:
A person other than a family member, spouse or lover whose company one enjoys
and towards whom one feels affection.
Companionship
is a craving of the soul of everyone, and the first step to living a life
worthwile is embracing Companionship. It is a term that qualifies someone
walking with you heading the way you are headed. God has designed us in such
way that we all need companionship, a shoulder to lean on. Nobody succeeds in
isolation! As a matter of fact, it has been observed that the major cause of
suicide, depression, mental retardation, etc is lack of companionship
(Loneliness) or wrong companionship. There is a craving in every man to relate,
to pour out, to socialize, to interact, to communicate, to confide...this
craving has however caused as much damage as it has caused good too. Therefore,
in our quest for companionship, caution has to be taken.
In
order not to muddle things up, I will be explicit as it relates to Singles and
Couples, because Companionship with Singles definitely differs from that of the
Married.
As
Singles...
...the
crave for companionship amongst Singles is very much on the high. The urge for
exploration coupled with the crave for companionship has led some to Success
and many others to doom. As Singles, control is a key factor here. Not all your
friend can be your companion. As much as you yearn for shoulders to lean on, be
selective! Lean only on shoulders of those going in your direction in life.
Friendship, and indeed Companionship is by choice never by imposition. Choose
your Companions wisely. If you are not benefitting productively from a
friendship, there is no point making such a one your companion. I once heard a
story of how a brother missed his flight simply by talking to a wrong companion
at the Airport. They called his flight at departure time, and just because the
companion he was with at the Airport was also holding an Arik ticket, he
thought they were both headed thesame way. Your future and vision is much more
important than that companion you have stuck with. Place value on your future
and disassociate from everyone and anyone not going your direction.
For
the Married/Engaged...
...here,
it is a different ball game. It is unfortunate that many couples are missing
out on this purpose of Marriage. Even though some couples dwell together under
thesame roof, constant quarrels and rancour pull them kilometres apart; so they
live together, yet alone. True companionship will add meaning to your marriage.
Your spouse is not just to be your roommate, but your closest friend. Your
spouse ought to be your first and best consultant and associate in all things.
Protecting family unity and development is then non-negotiable. Family is so
essential as the school of virtues par excellence. If companionship in families
is functional, bad things will decrease and good ones increase. Your spouse is
your best companion; no one else should come into the circle. If we do not
protect the family institution, we will be completely finished. As the saying
goes with emphasis of mine, if you marry the right person (and make him/her
your companion), you are complete, if you marry the wrong person (whether you
make him/her your companion or not), you are finished. But if you marry the
right person and you have made another (wrong one) your companion, then you are
completely finished.
No one succeeds in isolation, embrace companionship
today...however, make it with the right person!
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